Many Toyota GR86 enthusiasts are eager to experience the thrill of its sporty performance. However, amidst the excitement, a question often arises: what about fuel economy? You might have heard varying figures, and perhaps even some skepticism about achieving decent MPG in this fun-to-drive car. The EPA city estimate for the manual GR86 is around 20 MPG, but real-world driving can differ significantly. If you’re finding yourself closer to that EPA city number than you’d like, especially with mixed driving conditions, you’re not alone. It turns out, the secret to maximizing your Gr86 Mpg might be simpler than you think, and it revolves around understanding the relationship between RPMs and fuel consumption.
To put this to the test, a real-world experiment was conducted over a 100-mile trip encompassing a variety of driving environments. This trip was broken down into roughly 25% city driving with frequent stops and starts, 25% typical highway cruising, and 50% country roads with speed limits ranging from 45 to 55 mph. The goal was to observe the impact of consciously keeping RPMs low whenever possible, while still enjoying some spirited driving moments that the GR86 is known for.
During the experiment, there were instances of assertive driving, including passing maneuvers, reaching speeds up to 85 mph, and a few brisk launches from traffic lights. Engine rev-matching and even hitting 7000 RPM when merging onto highways or accelerating out of corners were part of the mix. There were even a couple of playful tail wags during spirited turns. However, the key difference in this test was the conscious effort to upshift earlier and maintain the highest possible gear during cruising, ensuring the engine wasn’t strained at low RPMs. The car’s upshift indicator was used as a guide for optimal gear changes in normal driving conditions.
The result of this experiment was an indicated 30.1 MPG over a distance of 118 miles. Factoring in the typical discrepancy between indicated and actual MPG, which is often observed when hand-calculating fuel consumption at the pump, the real-world MPG was likely around 28.8. Even with this adjustment, the outcome was still impressive, especially considering the varied driving conditions and moments of spirited driving. This result strongly suggests a significant improvement in GR86 MPG simply by focusing on keeping RPMs lower during regular driving. Prior to this experiment, the driver admitted to rarely upshifting when prompted by the indicator, often shifting above 4000 RPM and cruising above 3000 RPM even when unnecessary.
In conclusion, this real-world test underscores a crucial point for GR86 owners looking to improve their fuel economy: RPMs are indeed a key factor in MPG. By adopting driving habits that prioritize lower RPMs during cruising and shifting up earlier in normal driving, you can noticeably enhance your GR86 MPG and get more miles out of every tank of gas, without sacrificing the joy of occasionally experiencing the car’s sporty performance.
